Everyone remembers just how the last matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic ended. Hawks fans do, at least. It would be crazy for them not to.
Just before Atlanta was set to begin postseason play, Orlando's Goga Bitadze pulled down on Jock Landale's shoulder while he was going up for a shot under the basket. Landale landed awkwardly, and it forced him to miss their entire first-round series against the New York Knicks.
One of the biggest reasons the Hawks were unable to take down the eventual-champions in the first round was their lack of size and physicality. It's no guarantee that the series outcome would've been different if Landale had played, but it's still a major what-if.
Hawks haven't forgotten about Bitadze's dirty play
While they may brush it off in interviews or any media availability, it's got to be weighing on their minds. At least in the back of them.
New York dominated Atlanta down low for the entire series. If that weakness was covered up by Landale's presence, it would've made their operation much easier.
If preseason was any indicator, Atlanta's backup big man appears to have gotten much better over the offseason.
He dominated the stat sheet nearly every time he saw the floor during the Hawks' impressive 4-1 preseason campaign. Maybe him being taken out just before a major career opportunity lit a spark in his game.
It's not that he wasn't good before, but it seems he's reached a new level of play. He's letting it fly with more confidence than ever, and is using his size to his advantage down low.
Landale having a statement performance on opening night against the squad that ended his most recent season - leading his team to an epic 1-0 start to the new year - would be perfect revenge.
NBA schedule-makers knew exactly what they were doing with this one
It was almost too obvious of an opening night matchup.
While going against the Trae Young and the Washington Wizards would've also made a lot of sense, they couldn't have gone wrong with picking the Magic.
Despite Atlanta's 4-0 record against the Magic last season, each game brought plenty of entertainment. These two squads don't like each other one bit, leading to some fascinating battles.
If the Hawks hold any grudges, a dominant victory over their division rival on Wednesday evening would be sweet.
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